雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the early 19th century, mail was delivered by stagecoach, which was slow and unreliable. Then, in 1838, the first railway mail service began in England, drastically reducing delivery times. However, it wasn't until 1840 that the penny post was introduced, making it affordable for ordinary people to send letters. This reform, led by Rowland Hill, required a uniform rate regardless of distance. Interestingly, the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in the same year. So, while the railway improved speed, the penny post revolutionized access.